Dear Freshmen,
With the summer rapidly coming to a close, it’s time to start thinking about getting back into the school mood. Before you know it, it will be time to pack up your minivan and head to your first year of college, and that means orientation! And just like everything else at Emerson, orientation is done a little bit differently. Don’t be alarmed at the crowds of students covered in glitter, rocking boas and tutus, dancing their butts off to the latest Top 40 as you pull in. Those are just your Orientation Leaders (OLs), and they have energy for days. They will be your fairy godparents and guide you through all things Emerson. Cherish them helping you move all of your stuff, because you only get that luxury as a freshman!
My biggest piece of advice is to make the most out of orientation, and remember that you get out of it what you put in. During every day of orientation, there will be plenty of events to get you acclimated to the school before it’s time to start classes. While you may not be interested in every event, I highly encourage you to attend as many as possible. Each activity is a chance to meet someone new, and you don’t want to miss out on the chance to meet your future best friend or love interest.
I’m an introverted person and I stayed in during some of the events that didn’t appeal to me, but looking back on it, I wish I had gone. The orientation setting isn’t exactly my cup of tea, but it is great for getting people out of their shells. All of the OLs are great at breaking the ice and will make you feel comfortable doing even the craziest of things.
On the same note, when there isn’t an event to attend, spend the down time getting to know your suitemates and floor mates. I distinctly remember that during one of the first few nights of my Orientation, my suitemates and I were sitting in our common room getting to know each other and we heard a knock on the door. We opened the door to find a group full of fellow freshman. One of our floor mates had decided to just knock on all of the doors and round up as many people as possible and meet everyone else on the floor. It was a great way to be introduced to the people I’d be seeing every day. Be sure to attend any events held on your floor by your Resident Assistant as well, and don’t be afraid to check out other floors.
I also recommend taking time to explore Boston on your own, or with your new friends. The best way to learn your way around the city is to just throw yourself into it! There is nothing better then hopping on the T and going to a random stop to explore. Safety comes first, of course, but it’s also fun to be in an unknown part of the city and see what is out there.
During all of the madness that is orientation, I also want to remind you all to remember that classes are around the corner, and it is important to keep that in mind. Make sure that you know your class schedule and are prepared to begin right after orientation is over. Take some time to explore Walker and Ansin, so that you know exactly where your classes are on the first day. Peruse the bookstore to make sure that you have everything you need; they have lots of great stuff in there! Also, I find it best to unpack all of your stuff as soon as possible. Getting to the events and eventually class on time is much easier when you don’t have to fumble through a bunch of boxes to find your stuff.
Most importantly, have fun! Everyone says it, and you may be inclined to ignore them, but these four years truly will fly by, so make sure to make the very best out of it. I hope orientation is a great experience for all, and best of luck starting your freshmen year at Emerson!